It is common nowadays to hear indictments of religion, church or even government heralded by statements like, "I am no fool and it would be naive, gullible even stupid to believe they want anything else but to control and profit from the people that look to them for help or support" etc. It is undeniable that some of this thinking is warranted in certain cases but it smacks of a cynicism to which it is assumed there is no alternative but living in a state of delusion. But there is an alternative.(living in the state of North Carolina for example) Whatever happened to wanting to believe the best of people and parties, and institutions and looking for ways to justify that belief? If there be any way, some are looking for reasons to connect not excuses to disconnect. Because there are counterfeits about does not have to negate the reality of the abundance of the genuine, in fact the existence of the counterfeit is only further proof of a pre-existent authenticity, though those examples are often obscure or less publicized. This is not to advocate burying our heads in the sand, this is to say we can be realistic without being cynical, discerning without letting go of necessary ideals or abandoning hope, whether it be in the case of individuals or with regard to vital institutions like family, church, government and volunteer organizations. Let's face it, there's a cynical brand of "wisdom" afoot, but there is another kind of wisdom available too that has not been drained of all OPTImism, a study in looking through a different lens, and not a rose-colored one either. There are many good things happening at all levels out there and many admirable people doing them.
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